Cleaning Acrylic / Perspex

andy_parks · Post by **andy_parks** » Thu 03 May, 2007 8:56 pm

Hi Framers Forum,

Long time since last post but having a drama.......! Does anyone have any advice on how to clean perspex without it smearing terribly? I have used a cleaner called Fast Glass as it claims to not smear etc. Have used it before on other pieces of perspex with no worries. I always use a duster to buff it and it has seemed fine before. Now I have several very large paintings for a customer's degree in art which have plenty of black areas and, you guessed it, it looks terrible with the visble smears in those areas. It also seems to be a bit foggy all over. I have to clean it to get rid of the static when you peel off the plastic sheet protecting it.....or do I? Any help / advice very greatly received.
Best Wishes,
Andy Parks.

Roboframer · Post by **Roboframer** » Thu 03 May, 2007 9:18 pm

I gave up on perspex years ago, in fact I still have a few sheets left from the batch that made me realise that I hate it.

All I use them for is workbench coverings - very handy for slippimg year planners and notes under.

The only perspex/acrylic/callitwhatyoulike I use now is 'artshield' which is scratchproof - you can clean it with extra fine steel wool even.

Why are you using perspex? shipping? safety issues?

I generally only use it for larger pieces in public places/areas of activity, or where weight is an issue.

I hate normal 'plastic glass'!

andy_parks · Post by **andy_parks** » Thu 03 May, 2007 9:29 pm

Hi John,

Thank you for your speedy reply. Yes it is to hang in an exhibition that does not allow glass. Mind you the largest one is about 5 foot by 4 and a half foot so I thought perspex would be the best bet. Of course the customer wants it cheap so the artshield option is not gonna be an option. Typical! I think I may have ruined the first sheet of perspex with the glass cleaner as it has turned a bit milky in areas. I might try and rescue it with a bit of washing up liquid. What do you think? Will it clean with just washing up liquid in warm water? But will this get rid of the horrible static?

Roboframer · Post by **Roboframer** » Thu 03 May, 2007 9:38 pm

If it's gone fuzzy - it's gone fuzzy - you can get away with so much on a light background, but not ablack one.

Regardless of what cleaner you use, or cloth, it will fuzz it.

Best bet, if it has a peel off coating, is to handle it with gloves, not clean it at all, not with cloth/liquid - it won't need it. Just use a soft brush to remove dust - Lion do an anti staic brush ( the something or other whisk - I have one - good bit of kit, you earth it with a wire (supplied) for best results)

But then, one day, the customer or a cleaner may clean it in the normal way, it will fuzz, it's what perspex does. The solution to the problem unfortunately, is not cheap.

andy_parks · Post by **andy_parks** » Thu 03 May, 2007 9:41 pm

Thanks John,

I will leave well alone with the cloth! Thanks for all your advice.

Kindest Regards,

Andy Parks.

kev@frames · Post by **kev@frames** » Sun 06 May, 2007 8:48 pm

Best tip above: dont try to clean it at all unless you are desperate then you can use motorcycle visor cleaner (bob heath brand etc) also available in cleaning kits from your local bike shop. Probably cheaper to use a fresh sheet though. The static seems the worst problem, we found that its best to remove the inner layer of plastic first, and just free off the edges of the outside layer for removal later, when the frame's sealed up. .... removing them both before fitting really gives it a charge which attracts just about every dust and loose particle within three feet

andy_parks · Post by **andy_parks** » Mon 07 May, 2007 6:33 pm

Hi Kevin,

Thanks for the advice. I have done as you rightly suggest and left well alone. They do look good now in the frames so thanks again for all of your helpful advice. A really useful online resource and I feel this bookmark may well get used again very soon.

Best wishes to you all.

Kindest Regards,

Andy Parks.

Dermot · Post by **Dermot** » Tue 08 May, 2007 6:34 am

Very mild soapy water and a very soft cloth.....wipe the edges first with a dry cloth to get rid of the swarf from cutting then peal the paper of very slowly to keep the static down......try and lay the Perspex straight on to the clean frame package................that way one side stays clean..........keep your paws of the Perspex try handling at the edges only............if you do gets bits of dirt just touch the area very gently with a damp soft cloth ....... Put a clean sheet of paper down on your work bench otherwise you will pick up dirt from your work top..

I perfected this method so that I was able to assemble 50 + exhibition frames a day...........it takes time an d practice...

Good luck

The Framers Forum

Cleaning Acrylic / Perspex

Cleaning Acrylic / Perspex

Cleaning perspex

Perspex cleaning

Leave well alone with the cloth!